Sheet piler end stop structure



Dec. 3, 1953 G. F. BAUER,

SHEET FILER END STOP STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filgd April 15, 1949 INVENTOR. Gav/me 5405 ATYORNEYS.

1386- 1953 s. F. BAUER SHEET FILER END STOP STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-SheetZ Filed April 15, 1949 WW. 5 \\\\\\/A//\% fi r a La M 6 4 lL m a INVENTOR GEO/F65 5.441515 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 8, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT 1 OFFICE SHEET PILER 1511:32 2; STRUCTURE I 7 George -F. Bauer, Middletown, Ohio, assignor to Armco' Steel Corporation, Middletown, Ohio, .a'

corporation of Ohio Application April 15, 1949, Serial No. 87.739

15 Claims. (01. 271-86) This invention relates to a sheet piler end stop structure. With modern high speed production methods sheets, plates orsimilar articles issue from'a finishing apparatus or from a production line at very high velocity, anddepending upon the weight of the sheets or plates involved, the inertia force in such sheets or plates may be very great; When sheets orplates issue from aproduction line or a finishing apparatus, they aregenerally stacked on a dolly or the like; so thatrthey may be conveniently transported to another part of the plant. It is very important in the stacking of sheets or plates to produce an even stackyand to accomplish this without damage or injury to the'sheets or plates.

With the sheets or plates issuing at very high velocities the problem of providing an end stop which will absorb the high inertia forces'involved and which will produce an even stack without damaging the leading ends of the sheets or plates becomes one which is verydifii'cult'of solution.

Withfthe foregoing considerations in mind it is an object of my present invention to provide a sheet piler end stop structure which will absorb the inertia forces of the plates or sheets issuing at high velocity without damage to the "leading edges of the sheets of plates.

It is another object of my invention to provide a structure as outlined in which the end step may be positioned in a large number of positions so that it may accommodate stacks of various lengths of sheets or plates.

It is another'object of my invention to support the end stop member from an overhead structure so that there is no danger to the operator in moving the end stop'structure.

It is a still further object .of my invention to support the end stop structure from a, boom along which the end stop structur'ema'y be adjusted.

Yet another object of my invention involvesa novel mounting for the supporting boom in an I overhead position whereby the boom may be. swung aside so that the end stop may be moved out of the path of travel of the sheets orp lates whereby the stack may readily be removed. I

Still another object of my invention involves an arrangement for locking the boom in operating position by means of a releasable latch mechated with the end of the boom'where it is within anism, and it involves still further the provision of operating means for the latch memberassoci-v the operators reach, so'that the boom may be I conveniently unl'atchedand swung aside.

These and other objects of my invention which 1' shall point out in more detail her'einaften'pr member l2.

the; member l I.

2 which will become apparent to one skilled inthe art upon reading the specifications I accomplish by that certain construction and arrangement of parts of which I shall now describe an exemplary embodiment; Reference is made to the drawings forming a part hereof and in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of-a sheet piler end stop structure;

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the same;

Figure 3 is an end elevational view "of the same on a slightly enlarged scale;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on the line i-A of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is; an elevational view of the end stop structure in normal position;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the same;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line I-'! of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 88 of Figure 5; V

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the end stop member in retracted position;

' Figure 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the catch mechanismtaken on the line l0-l0 of Figure 3 Figure 1 1 is a cross sectional view ofthe same taken on the line [1-41 of Figure 10; and

Figure 12 is a'view 'similar'to Figure 10' showing the catch in'released condition.

Briefly, in'the practice of my invention I provide an A frame having theupright members 10 and II and connected across the top by a cross 7 This frame member is disposed transversely. of the path of movement of the sheets or plates from the production line and straddles this path of movement.

A gate structure 'indicatedgenerally at I3 is hingedly mounted in the A frame as will now be described. Secured to the member H are the brackets 14 and i5 which'carry a pintle member [62' A'tubul'ar member I? which forms .a part of the gate structure haspivotal movement on the pintle l6 and is held in position thereby means of theb'olt l8. 1

The member I! forms one end of the gate structure, which has been indicatedgenerallyat and which comprises the transverse elements i=9 and 20 and averticalmember 2i at the end opposite Thereis thusprovided a rectangularframework of tubular pieces. Since this frame work will have to carry considerable. weight, it is preferable:to provide for .a brace member which may comprise tension rods-22 and 23 connected together bya turnbuckle 24, and'secured at their respectiveends to-the' eye-boltsfi and on the member 34 for the links 43 and 44.

3 26. A latch member is provided at the right hand end of the member 20, which will be described hereinafter.

Secured to the member 20, substantially at right angles thereto, is the boom member indicated generally at 21. As seen in Figures 1 and 2 the right hand end of the boom carries the end stop member proper and in order to produce a balanced structure the left hand end of the boom is provided with a counter-weight 28, brace members 29 and are provided as best seen in Figure 2 to carry the load of the end stop member and the counter-weight respectively.

From the foregoing it will be clear that when the latch member is released the gate member I3 may be swung out to the position shown in broken lines in Figure 1, which will bring the boom to the position shown also in broken lines whereby the end stop member, which is indicated generally at 3|, is moved aside out of the way of the stack so that the stack may be conveniently transported away.

As seen in Figure 2, the stack which is indicated generally at 32 is formed upon a dolly or the like 33, and when a stack of the desired size has been accomplished the boom is swung aside and the dolly moved out of the way.

The end stop member itself will be described in connection with Figures 5 to 9 inclusive where its features are shown in detail. A tubular member 34 having an internal diameter of sufficient size that the member 34 may slide freely along the boom 21 is mounted for sliding movement on said boom. The boom 21 is provided with a series of evenly spaced holes21a and the member 34 is provided with an evenly but more closely spaced series of holes 34a. The member 34 is fixed in relation to the boom 21 by means of a locking pin 35 which is passed through a. pair of the holes 34a and a pair of the holes 21a. The

relation to the boom 21 the locking pin 35 is:

removed and the member 34 is slid along the boom 21 to the desired position. The pin 35 is then reinserted through a registering pair of holes 34a and 21a, and the portion 35a of the locking pin is rotated toward the right and engaged behind the latch member 36. It will be observed that the series of holes 21a provide for coarse adjustment, while the relatively closely spaced holes 34a provide for a fine adjustment of the position of the member 34 in relation to the boom 21.

Depending from the member 34 is a strut 31 having a bracing member 36 joined to it and also depending from the member 34. The strut 31 is provided with transverse members 39 and 40,

and with the bumper members 4| and 42. Pivoted to each side of the member 34 are the arms or links 43 and 44. It will be understood that there is a link 43 on each side of the member 34 and a link 44 on each side thereof. The links 43 and 44 are pivoted to lateral bosses 45 and 46 best seen in Figure 6. Thus the pivot points of the links 43 are aligned transversely as are the pivot points of the links 44. All of the links 43 and 44 are of the same length. Pivoted to the lower ends of these pairs of links respectively are the push bars 41 and 48. The distance between the pivot points on the push bars 41 and 48, is the same as the distance between the pivot points It will be clear from the foregoing that the push bars 41 are capable of movement to the left or right of Figures 5 and 9 while maintaining their horizontal position.

Also pivoted to the strut 31 are the links 49, one on each side of the strut. These links are pivoted to the bosses 56 which are similar to the bosses 45 and 46 described above. The links 49 are of the same length as the links 43 and 44. Pivoted to each of the links 49 is another push bar member 5|. The push bars 5| have rearward extensions which are connected together by means of a transverse rod 52.

The end stop plate 53 which may be of any desired construction, is secured to all of the aforesaid push bars as best seen in Figures 5 to 9 inclusive, and it will be clear that if the connection is made in such a way that when all of the links 43, 44 and 49 are in a vertical position, the plate 53 is in a vertical position, then as the linkage mechanism moves toward the right the plate 53 will remain in a vertical plane. The bumper members 4| and 42 limit the movement toward the right of the end stop plate 53.

Resilient means are provided to take up the inertia forces of the sheets or plates striking against the plate 5 3 at high velocity. These resilient means may be of various types, but I have shown the use of airplane type elastic shock cord to connect the strut member with the movable portions of the mechanism. Referring more particularly to Figures 7 and 8, the push bars 41 and 48 are connected at their free ends by the transverse rod 54, and elastic shock cord or other resilient material is wound around the bar 54 and the bosses, or extensions,,39 on the strut 31 as shown. Similarly, as seen in Figure 8 elastic shock cord material. is wound between the bosses or extensions 40 and the transverse rod 52. It will be clear from a consideration of Figures '1 and B that when the end stop plate 53 moves toward the right, its movement will be resisted by pull of the elastic shock cord on the extensions 39 and 43 of the strut 31. The structure just described permits of ready adjustment in that any number of turns of shock cord may be wound back and forth between the members 39 and 54 and between the members 46 and 52. The amount of resilience can thus be controlled to suit the mass and velocity of the issuing sheets which will strike the plate 53.

Coming now to a description of the latch mechanism and referring more particularly to Figures 10 to 12 inclusive it will be observed that the member '20 of the gate at its right hand end has welded to it a collar member 60 which is internally threaded, a latch member 6| having an externally threaded portion is screwed into the member 60 as shown. The member 6| as best seen in Figures 10 and 12 is provided with the hook-like elements 62 between which there is pivotally mounted a cam element 63. The member 63 is pivoted between the hook element 62 by means of the pin 64, and it is provided with an abutment member 65 to limit its rotation in a clockwise direction.

Secured to the member IE) are the brackets 66 and 61 between which extends the locking pin 68. The pin 63 may be welded or otherwise suitably secured to the brackets 66 and 61.

It will be observed that the pivotal member 63 has a curved cam slot 63a, as best seen in Figure 12. If new the gate is swung to its closed position, the parts being in the positionshown in Figure 12, the pin 68 can enter the slot 63a and as the gate swings shut the pin also enters to slot in the members 62, and during this movelagoon-e49 meat the membertt rotates ina counter-clockwise direction until when the" gate member is completely-closed the parts are in the position shewnin-Figure 19. A latch member is provided in order to hold the gate in closed position. This latch member comprises a pin which engages, as best seen in Figure 10, in the slot 63a -of the member 53. An opening movement of the gate must be accompanied by a clockwise rotation ofthe member 93 and itwill be clear that the pin 7-0 prevents such clockwise movement. Iihe pm H1 is provided with a shoulder H to limitfits movement toward the rightand passes through a stirrup member I 2 and is urged toa h -h b a m ro s nr ns t ingagainst-the shoulder H on the one side and against the stirrup 12 on the other. The l ocl ing mechanism is unlatched by a movement toward the left of the pin HI. This permits the member 63 to rotate in a clockwisedirection so'that the gate member may be pulled open as seen in Figure 12.

It is desirable that the unlocking ofthe latching member be. accomplished by the operator from his working position which will be adjacent the end of the boom. Therefore the pin, it has connected to its end as best seen in Figure 11, a flexible member such as; a cable or theflike 1-4. This cable member passes through the in: ter-iorof the gate'portion 26. As best seen in Figures 1 and 3 the member 2% is connected to the boom 27 by an angular tubular member 25 which may, if desired, curve at its ends sojas to merge with the member 2% and the boom 21. Cable M passes through the mernberit into the interior of the boom and: runs through the entire length of the boom to the end as seen in Figure 4. r r

The operating mechanism is best seen in Fi ure 4 and comprises very simply a piece of tubing 80 having a, pivotal connection at 31' with a'bracket 82' secured to the end of'the boom 2?. The cable 14 passes through the tubular member 80 and is secured to a bolt 83' having the lock nuts 84. whereby the tension on the cable 14 may be adjusted; At its innermost end the bular. msmborsil. has a d" portion to act as a pulley for the cable '14.

e onss ins des r ti n it. w ll. be: cl that'whe'n it is" desiredfto'release the pin EB so that the gate structure maybeswungopen, the operaten simply grasps the; portion 8% and moves it d w w r to. the. position shown in broken ine n F ur wher by ension is put n th cable" causing thepinlq tobe Withdrawn. from the pi rom. he slot. t e, operator mayi p y grasp the, boom and push it aside to the-position shown-in brokenlines inFigure l, whereuponthe qmn let dr s ack. ay. be di posed; of asde From the foregoing description it will be observed that the end stop mechanism is yieldable resiliently so that it can absorb the inertia of relatively heavy plates or sheets striking it at high velocity. The degree of resiliency can be adjusted as described above. It willalso be noted that the end stop proper is supported from an overhead boom, so that there is no part of the mechanism in the way of the operator at any time. The boom is conveniently placed at a height where the operator can reach it by extending his arm over his head. The swinging of the boom thuswill not endanger employees in the immediate vicinity of the piler. The opcrator can very easily unlatch the gate struc- 6 ture andswmg the boom out of th'cway and when it is desired to replace the boom in its operative position it may be given a push" and upon closing of the gate structure the latch functions automatically as setforth above.

It will be understood that numerous modifica t-ions may be made asto' various'details, and" I therefore do not. intend to limit myself in any way-other than as setforthin the claims which foilow.

Having now fully described my invention what I ciai-m as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A sheet piler end stop structure comprising a frame. a gate structure hingedl-y mounted said frame for swinging movement in a tal path, a boom carried by said gate structure and extending substantially at right angles-- to said gate structure, and an endstop mounted Orr-said boom.

A sheet piler end stop structure comprising a frame, a, gate structure hingedly' mounted in said frame for swinging movement in ahorizontal path, releasable means for-locking'said gate structure in closed 'position, a boom carried-by said gate structure and extending substantially at'ri'ght angles to said gate structure, and an endstopmember mounted on said; bo'ornr. I 3. A sheet piler end' stop structure comprisinga frame. a gate structure hi-ngedly mounted" in said frame, releasable means for'locki-ng said gate. structure in closedposition, a boommarried said gate structure and extending substantially at'right angles thereto, an end. stop member mounted on said boom, and means disposedat the end of said boom, and operatively connected with said releasable meansfor operatingthe sameto release said gate structure fromits closed position. i j

4. Asheetpiler end stop structure comprising a frame, a gate structure; hingedly mounted sa d irame. r asable. mea for. locking aidg -te structurein closed position, aboom. carried, by said gate} structure and extending, substantially at rightangles, thereto, an end stop. member mounted onsai-d boom and means disposed atthe end f said-boom and operatively connectedlwith sa d. re eas bl means orne a ing; he somat c rele se; said ate structure from its closed; 11 5 tion, and means for securingsaid and stonmeme berttog said boom: in a pluralityof positions; 101::

gitudinallythereofr- I 5.;

5. A' 'sheet 7 pilerend stop structure comprising a frame, agate structure hingedly: mounted in said frame, releasable means-forlocking said gate structure in closed position, a boom carried-"by said gate 'structuret and extending substantially at right-angles-theretq; a resilient endlstop member-adjustably mounted on said-boom, andmeans disposed'at-the end of saidjboom' 'andoperatiwiel? connected" with saidreleasable' means for-operating the same to release said gate structure from its closed position.

6. A sheet piler end stop structure comprising a frame, a gate structure hingedly mounted in said frame, a boom carried by said gate structure and extending on both sides thereof at substantially right angles thereto, releasable means for locking said gate structure in closed position, a resilient end stop member adjustably mounted on said boom at one side of said gate structure, a counterweight mounted on said boom at the other side of said gate structure, and means disposed at the end of said boom on the side carry- 7 ing said end stop member and operatively connected with said releasable means for operating the same to release said gate structure from its closed position.

7. A resilient end stop for a sheet piler, comprising a mounting frame, a plurality of links of equal length pivoted to said frame at one end with their other ends extending in the same direction in parallelism, links pivotally connected to the free ends of said first mentioned links, said second mentioned links supporting a stop plate, said stop plate thus being capable of translation in a direction normal to its plane while maintaining its parallelism to said plane, and resilient members connected to said mounting frame and one, at least, of said links to yieldingly resist motion of said stop plate in one direction.

8. A resilient end stop for a sheet piler, comprising a mounting frame, a push bar connected to said mountin frame by a parallel linkage, a second push bar connected to said frame by at least one link of a length equal to that of the links in said parallel linkage, extending in the same direction and parallel thereto, a stop plate secured to said push bars, whereby said stop plate is capable of translation in a direction normal to its plane while maintaining its parallelism to said plane, and means for yieldingly resisting motion of said stop plate in one direction.

9. In combination with an overhead boom, an

end stop capable of being secured to said boom in a number of adjusted positions along said boom, said end stop comprising a member mounted for sliding movement along said boom and having a downwardly depending strut, a pair of links pivoted to said member on each side, the distance between said links on one side being equal to the distance between said links on the other side, the links on one side being aligned with and extending inthe same direction as those on they other side, and said links being of equal length, a push bar pivotally secured to the pair of links on each side, said push bars being of equal length,'a single link secured to said strut on each'side, said single links being of a length equal to said other links, extending in the same direction, and parallel thereto, a push bar pivotally secured to each of said single links at their free ends, the ends of said push bars being secured to a stop plate in such manner that when all said links are in a vertical position, said stop plate is in a vertical plane, whereby said stop plate is capable of translation in a direction nor,- mal to its plane while maintaining its parallelism to said plane, and means for yieldingly resisting the motion of said stop plate in one direction. 10. The combination of claim 9, in which said pairs of links are transversely connected at their free ends by a cross bar, and in which said second mentioned push bars are extended beyond their pivot points in a direction away from said stop plate and are connected transversely by a cross bar, said cross bars being connected to said strut by resilient means.

11. The structure of claim 9, in which said boom is of tubular construction, and in which said sliding member is also of tubular construction having an internal diameter to slide freely on said boom.

12. The structure of claim 10, in which said boom is provided with an evenly spaced series of transverse holes, and said sliding member is provided with an evenly but more closely spaced series of holes, and in which a lockin pin is provided for insertion through aligned holes in said sliding member and boom, the spacing of the holes in said boom providing for coarse adjustment, and the relatively closely spaced holes in said sliding member providing for fine adjustment.

13. A sheet piler end stop structure comprising a frame, a gate structure hingedly mounted in said frame, said gate structure being, at least in part, of tubular material, a boom of tubular material secured to said gate structure and carrying an end stop device, releasable means for locking said gate structure in closed position, means at the end of said boom for operating said releasable means to release said gate structure from its closed position, and a flexible connection between said means at the end of said boom and said releasable means, said flexible connection passing through said tubular boom and a tubular portion at least of said gate structure. I 14. A device according to claim 13, in which said releasable means comprises a member spring urged to locking position and secured to one end or said flexible connection, and in which said operating means is movable to exert a pull on said flexible connection.

15. A device according to claim 14 in which said operating means comprises a handle member hinged to the end of said boom and having an end of said flexible connection secured there to and having a curved extension extending over said hinge to serve as a support for said flexible connection when said handle member is moved about said hinge.

GEORGE F. BAUER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,241,671 Smith Oct. 2, 1917 1,275,506 Voorhees Aug. 13, 1918 1,387,602 LaVeck Aug. 16, 1921 1,923,458 Reilly et al Aug. 22, 1933 2,142,243 Greenwood Jan. 3, 1939 2,228,887 Peterson J'an. 14, 1941 2,235,347 Zahutnik Mar. 18, 1941 2,381,633 Young Aug. 7, 1945 

